Welder&#39;s tool



R. 0. WILLIAMS. vW'ELDERS TOOL` APPucATlml man Amm. 1919. RENEwED MAY15. 1920.

Patented July 6, 1920.

' uNirgDy lSTATES BOY o. WILLIAMS, or cOLUMBUs, OHIO.

WELDERS TGOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1920.

Application led August 4, 1919, Serial No. 315,058. Renewed May 15,1920. Serial No. 381,745.

improved tool for eilecting the support andV controlled manipulation ofa welders electrode, the object of the invention broadly being toprovide a tool or holder for the purpose specified which ischaracterized by lightness in weight and with corresponding freedom ofmovement and adjustment, and ofsuch construction as to permit the same'to be used for relatively extended periods Without causing its operatorundue fatigue and to enable an operator to enlarge his working capacity.

Another object of the invention vresides in a tool embodying the abovementioned characteristics and wherein is further formed an improvedclamping structure for grounding the feed'wire of the tool upon theframe of the latter, and to render the clamp structure of a positive andreliable nature, so that when the tool is in use and subject to jars andstresses, the wire retained by said clamp structure will be. effectivelyprevented from lbecoming accidentally displaced' and the operation ofthe tool impaired, sald clamping structure consisting essentially of afloating jaw having a fulcrum in the handle of the tool and having itsopposite end adjustable with respect to the frame by means of a threadedelement, whereby upon actuating said element the free end of said jawmay be forced into en gagement with a wire interposed between the jawand the frame of the toolso that the jaw may be caused toexercisefriction upon the wire and effectively prevent the latter frombecoming displaced.

A further object of the invention resides in providing the metallicframe of the tool with an extended handle portion, which is ofsubstantially spool shaped formation and provides between its ends anannular cooling space, and said handle extrennty being shaped to receivea fibrous handle tube which when placed around said handle extremitywill inclose the heat circulating chamber formed between the ends ofsaid extremity, thus spacing the twol from the major portion of themetallic frame of the tooly and rendering the latter convenient tooperate by eliminating excessively heated portions, one end of saidhandle extremity being formed with grooves, which serve to permit of theescape of heat from the heat circulating portion formed by said frameextremity.

A still further object of the invention rests in a tool of the abovenature and wherein is embodied a stationary and a movable jaw, said jawshaving vertical openings formed therein which are capable ofreceivingthe electrode wires, said openings being so positioned thatwhen the mov' able jaw is spaced from the stationary jaw said openingswill be substantially in registration and when said jaws are permittedto come together, said openings will be substantially staggered, so thatthe electrode wire passing therethrough will be caught by the offsetwalls of said openings vand re tained in fixed positions.

A further object of the invention resides in a tool of the aforesaidcharacter which constitutes an improvement u on the tool` disclosed inlmy prior Patent dated April 22, 1919.

With these and other objects in view, as Will appear as the descriptionproceeds, the invention accordingly consists in the novel features ofconstruction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts,hereinafter fully described and having the scope thereof pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved tool comprising the presentinvention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof,

j Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken thliugh the rear or handleend of the tool, an

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the wire clamping jaw.

Similar characters of reference denote like and corresponding-partsthroughout the several views of the drawing.

The tool A comprising the present invention is preferably used tosupport an elec'-- trode Ywire of vthe type employed for arc weldingpurposes, so] that the electrode or wire may be brought to bear upon thework at hand and to be capable of being manipu lated with all requisiteskill and convenand longitudinally disposed shank portion 4 whichterminates in a substantially spool shaped'manipulating extremity 5, andbetween the ears 3 and the extremities 5 there is provided an integralupstanding frame 6. Pivoted between the ears 3 is a movable jaw 7,.which is designed to be movedY relativelyl with respect to thestationary jaw 2 and to be of such construction as to permit of theclamping of an electrode between said jaws. To release or clamp anelectrode with respect to the jaws, said movable jaw is formed with anactuating extremity 8 which is extended so as to operate within thesuperposed frame 6. The extremity 8 is suitably bifurcated as at 9, andreceives a thumb piece 10, the latter being of a substantially differentmaterial than the extremity 8 and is ofsuch material asto offerresistance to the transmission of heat from the extremity 8. In thismanner the temperature of the thumb piece 10 is maintained below that ofthe movable jaw 7 under actual working conditions, so that the jaw 7 maybe operated at any time without causing discomfort or physical injury tothe operator. This principle of cooling the manipulating end of themovable jaw handle has been clearly set forth, however, in my aforesaidpatentr A .coil spring 11 is interposed between the bifurcated end 9 ofthe handle extremity 8 and the shank portion 4 of the frame 1, and thenormal tendency of saidspring is to maintain a movable jaw in closedrelation with respect tothe stationary jaw, so that an electrodepositioned between said jaws will be securely gripped without involvingthe agency .of manual pressure. The meeting faces of said jaws may besuitably secured as at 12 so as to increase the gripping effectivenessof the jaws.

The jaws 2 and 7, in-the presentl form of the invention, are capable ofclamping an electrode in both horizontal'and vertical positions.Obviously, when an electrode passes between the flat meetin faces ofsaid jaws the same will be maintained in a horizontal position, butunder conditions where an electrode is drawn from a spool it isdesirable that the electrode pass vertically through the j aws. Tosecure an electrode in 'this posltion, sald jaws are provided with oneor more sets of registering openings 13, each 'the spring 11. Themovement of the movable jaw results in bringing the openings 13 of saidjaws out of registration with one another, so that the walls of saidopenings will impingeagainst the electrodes to effectively clamp thelatter to the tool. Thus,l when an electrode has been substantially usedup, the same may be replaced by merely depressing the thumb piece 10,'which results in alining the openings 13. The tool is then bodily movedin an upward direction upon the electrode until a suitable length of thev latter has been afforded. Then by releasing the thumb piece, saidmovable jaw will return to its normallycclosed position and theelectrode contained within the openings 13 will be gripped by virtue ofthe offset relation of the walls of said openings. This construction hasthe advantage of enabling an operator to secure an electrode of anyldesired length without in any way fingering the electrode or subjectinghimself to physical danger. It will thus be apparent that one of theobjects of the invention, that is, the provision of a tool which will besafe and convenient to operate, is carried out by the provision of theopenings 13 which facilitatethe handling of an electrode.

The rear manipulating extremity 5`of the main frame 1 is substantiallyof smooth shaped formation and is formed to provide a longitudinallyextending port 14 therein, l through which the conductor wire 15 of the110 tool extends. To enable the tool to be grasped, the extremity 5 isprovided with a tubular handle 16, which is preferably formed from afibrous insulating material. This tube is adapted to be slipped over themanipulating extremity 5 and when thus positioned, said handle will besubstantially 'spaced from the major portion of the extremity 5 byvirtue of the spool shaped formation of the latter, thus a heatcirculating or cooling space 17is defined between the enlarged ends ofthe extremity 5. It will beobserved that the latter are grooved so thatair may circulate into and around the space 17, thus maintaining thelatter cool under working conditions and preventing its heat fromspreading to an appreciable extent to the handle 16.` he handle isretained in position upon the extremity 5 by providing the latter withan adjustable head i the handle. Qbviously, by inserting the toolthrough the opening 19, said screw may be so adjusted as to enableitshead to frictionally, press upon the' inner wall of the handle, andsuiicjent pressure may be thus exercised to revent accidental removal ofsaid handle. manner 0f securing the handle 16 with the frame 1 willserve to maintain said handle in a relatively cool condition when thesame is actively employed and that in combination with the thumb piece10 the liability of in-- jury to the operator,'by reason of heatedportions in the tool, will be reduced to a minimum.

In order to firmly secure the lead wire 15 in a grounded position uponthe frame 1,

- use is made of a clamping bar 20. The latter has' itsv rear endloosely mounted upon shoulders 21 formed at the forward end of the bore14, and theforward end of -said bar is provided with a threaded opening22 which is adapted to `register with a plain opening 23- formed in theunderside 'of the shank 4. It will be noted that the forward end of saidbar projects inside of the super- -posed frame 6 and is guided foroscillatory movement by this frame.

j A screw 24 projects through the openings 23 and is adapted to bethreaded into the opening 22,-whereby upon the tightening of said screwsaid bar will have its forward but free end drawn toward the bottom ofthe shank portion 4. The underside of the bar 20 is provided lwith aknifeedge 25 which is adapted to coperate with a similar edge 26 formedon the shank portion 4. The bared portion of the wire 15 is passedbetween the edges 25 and 26, and obviously, by tightening the screw 18,said edges may be drawn together in a` manner calculated to effectivelygrip said wire so that the same will be securely heldin connection withthe tool and capable of withstandingl and maintaining the connectionunder the stresses and pulls of Working conditions. If desired, a shield27 may be placed upon 'the handle 16Y so as to further l.

protect the hand of the operator from the heat emitted by the electrode.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, it will be apparent that there is provided a tool ofconsiderable utility in its own field. By virtue of the constructiondescribed improved means have been provided for clamp'- ing the wire inconnection with the tool, and

for preventing said wire from becoming accidentally disconnected withrespect to its grounded position upon the tool. Also, mechanism has beenprovidedfor retaining the main handle at a low temperature under workingconditions, and through the ,provi".

sion of the openings in the jaws 2 and 7, means have -been provided foreffectively hus it will be manifest that this` clamping the verticallyextending electrode in connection with the tool. In view of theforegoing description it is believed that the many advantages ofthetool, as well as its operation, will be clearly understood by thoseversed' in the art, and therefore a more through, said openings beingarranged substantially in registration when said jaw members areseparated and out of registration when said members are in closedrelation. j

l 2. In an electrode holder, a main structure, a stationary jaw memberforming a part of said main structure, a movable jaw member pivotallycarried by said structure, an actuating handle for said member, a springarranged lbetween said handle and said structure and `tending tomaintain said movable jaw in closed relation with lsaid stationary jaw,and said jaws being provided with openings arranged perpendicularlytherein and said openings being so dis osed as to assume staggeredpositions w en saidjaw members are in closed relation. l

3. In an electrode holder, a mam frame, jaws carried by said frame andarranged to .receive anelectrode, a spool shaped projection formed uponthe rear end of said frame,

a tubular handle fitted around said projection, said handle-serving todefine in conjunction with said projection an air circulating space, andthe ends of said projection being grooved to permit of thecontinuouscirculationv of air through said space from exterior sources.

4. In an electrode holder,a main frame, jaws carried by said frame andarrangedto receive an electrode, an extension formed upon the rear endof said frame,'a screw threadedly carried by'said extension, a tubularsleeve formed to be ,fitted over said extension, and said sleeve havingan opening formed therein designed for registration with said screw,whereby said screw may be exteriorly actuated to be brought intoretaining relation with said handle. l

5. A tool of the character described, a main frame, means'carried by theforward end of said frame for retaining an electrode in secured relationtherewith, an extension formed upon the rear end of said frame andhaving a. longitudinal .bore formed therein, a clamping bar pivotallyseated in the forward end of said port, and means for binding said barin clamping relation with a conductor passing through said port.

6. In a tool of the character described, a main frame, means carried bythe forward end of said frame for securing an electrode thereto, anextension formed upon the rear end of said frame, said extension havinga longitudinally extending port formed therein, a clamping element,knife edges formed upon said frame and element, and means for drawingsaid clamping element so that a wire passing through said. port will beclamped between the edge thereof and the edge of said frame.

7. In an electrode holder, a mam frame,

jaw means disposed at the forward end of said frame, an extension formedupon the rear end of said frame, said extension having a longitudinallyextending opening formed therein, a clamping bar having its rear endpivotally seated within the forward end of said opening and means fordrawing said bar toward said frame and to confine a conductor passingthrough said port between said bar and said frame.

In testimonyw-hereof I aix my signature.

ROY o. WILLIAMS.

